Arguments Against Censorship in Music

Arguments Against censoring in medicamentHave you ever wondered wherefore radios have to bleep everything? Or why some CDs cant be sold in stores? Or why theres a little P bental advisory sticker on some albums? If you answered yes to any or whole of these questions, accordingly stick around, because for the succeeding(prenominal) 5 minutes, I am bug outlet to soundify to you why the censorship on our melody is track too harsh. Censorship in music should be reconsidered because of many points such as political views, the fact that actors are willing to fight for their own music, and to the highest degree of tout ensemble, license of speechTheres a poesy that comes to mind when I think about political censorship. A song called Not establish To Make Nice by The Dixie Chicks. The song won terce Grammies in the categories of Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Coun enterprise Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals. The song is about how they, the bind, matte up about the invasion of Iraq, and the responses to their position on this situation. Natalie Maines, the main vocalist of the group, was quoted as saying that they dont exigency this war, this madness, and theyre ashamed that the President of the unite States is from Texas. Some of the lines in the song are about the death threats that the band had received in 2003. How in the world can the words that I said s discontinue somebody so over the edge that theyd write me a letter saying that I better opt out up and sing or my life will be over. another(prenominal) line in the song its a drab sad story when a mother will teach her daughter that she oughta hate a perfect stranger, refers to an incident where a mother is genuinely egging on her young child to say to the band screw em Think about that.The next song that I think of is American Idiot by Green Day. From the beginning, this song was opposed by almost tidy sum in the US because of the open lyrics that express th e authors feelings towards President George W. Bush, and certain political issues. Some believe that the song is anti-American because of the title. However, if you actually listen to the lyrics, you might see how patriotic the song sincerely is. The title refers to the authors opinion of how politicians these days are telling concourse what to do, buy, and believe, and how theyre constantly dooped by all these commercials and campaigns that eventually turn is into, for lack of a better term, American Idiots. In the song, the singer, identity cardie Joe Armstrong, says that he doesnt want his nation to become idiots, and doesnt want to be part of a redneck ag hold ona, and doesnt want this coun shew to be hated because of decisions made by the government. Welcome to a new kind of tension, all across the alienation.For this next topic, let me give you some background information. The deputation that labels CDs as inappropriate and put the Parental Advisory stickers on CDs is cal led the Parents music Resource Center, PMRC. It was founded in 1985 by Tipper Gore. It was created with a goal of increase parental control over the access of children to music deemed by an unknown source to be violent, have drug use or be rideual. The people to whom I will be referring to are John Denver, a famous musician during the 70s, and Dee Snider, the lead singer for the band Twisted sister. These people were called to a senate audition about the PMRC, and stated their opinions on the topic.John Denver had prepared an positive record for the hearing. After he had given his statement, he spoke by the record, saying in my experience, sir, all over the world, one of the most fire things about music that young people are listening to, is it gives us as adults a very clear insight as to what is sack on in their minds. We can know what theyre persuasion by listening to the music they surround themselves with. To me, this totally puzzle outs sense. Its an easy way for par ents to communicate, and understand what their children are feeling, and thinking. He goes on to talk about the dissipated children hes talked to, and the troubles they have about an inability to communicate with their parents. This would all be fixed if parents could just understand what their kids are feeling and thinking by just listening every once and a while.This next man, Mr. Dee Snider, is quite an amazing and humble man. He starts out his despatchicial statement by saying, I am 30 years old, I am married, I have a 3 year old son. I was born and raised a Christian and I still stick with to those principles. Believe it or not, I do not smoke, I do not drink, and I do not do drugs. Does this sound wish a man who needs to be censored? I didnt think so. In his statement, Mr. Snider talks about how he was attacked three different periods because of his music. The first one, Tipper Gore had written an article in a Long Island newspaper where she claimed one of his songs, Und er the Blade, had lyrics encouraging sadomasochism, bondage, and rape. He actually talks about those lyrics and says that the lyrics are about the fear that people get before they go into surgery. Attack number two, Twisted Sisters song Were Not Gonna Take It was labeled as rated V because of violent lyrical content, when Snider assures everyone that there is absolutely no violence of any type either sung about or implied anywhere in the song. Lastly, Mr. Snider was accused of sexism because of a T-shirt Tipper Gore theme she saw. In response to this, Snider says we have always taken great mental strain to steer clear of sexism in our merchandise, records, stage show, and personal lives. Clearly, the PMRC is trying to make up stories to get their way.Congress shall make no law respecting the institution of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech or of the press or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the b rass for a redress of grievances. These are the exact words of the first amendment of the Bill of Rights. Basically, congress cant make any laws saying that people cant speak their minds. If you ask me, congress has done just that by censoring our music. I think that music is the most of the essence(predicate) and powerful form of expression that both entertains and informs. So, why hide it? object lesson values? Racial implications? Fear? The actual censoring of music began in the 1950s when traditional conservative values were part of the peoples mindset. pack during that time believed in those morals, and strived to determine what is acceptable for people to listen to. By the end of the 1950s, members of the society witnessed many young adults and teens expressing new attitudes about topics like sex and drugs. This movement started breaking down the traditional moral order in many ways, and in particular in music.It may seem off that race would be a factor in music censorshi p, but it actually is a huge problem, especially in the 50s and 60s when rhythm and color was first introduced to the world. Some older white people believed that RB was a threat that corrupted the young people who listened to it, and that it promoted immoral behavior. This prompted authorities to take action. An example of these actions after receiving a myriad of angry letter from listeners, a Chicago radio station promised to censor any controversial music, especially RB. A more recent example of racial censorship in music would be MTV refusing to play music videos from black artists. During a live interview in 1983, famous musician David Bowie asked, Why are there practically no black artists on the network? nifty question, Mr. Bowie. Im sure everyone else was thinking the same thing.Censorship is establish on fear. A fear that music will affect us negatively. A fear that music will prevent us from achieving a morally acceptable life. A fear that society will convert signific antly. Not for the better. The people who decided to censor OUR music are cowardly of the unknown, and our music seems to hold that unknown and uncertainty. Theres a song from 1975 called The Pill by Loretta Lynn that was censored on many radio post for more than 10 years after birth control pills became popular. People did this because they were afraid of the unknown, and thought that all their kids would start acting out, and going out of control. So, all these people who are afraid of our music just try to cover up the problem instead of facing it like adults.To end this speech, censorship in music should be reconsidered because of many points such as political views, the fact that musicians are willing to fight for their own music, and most of all, the freedom of speech. Now, instead of leaving it like this, Im going to leave you all with a quote from R. Andre Hall. From the Vietnam War to todays Iraq War, and from the advent of the sexual revolution to todays culture wars, mu sic is recognized as a potential source of power to diversity values, ideas, and beliefs- as well as to influence actions. Those who fear this change try to stop it by censorship, even when, as history has shown us, censorship is idle when change is inevitable.